Pictured (L-R): Ross Copperman, Dierks Bentley, Ashley Gorley
Industry members, friends, and family gathered at new Nashville venue Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway yesterday (June 22) to celebrate Capitol Nashville artist Dierks Bentley’s 16th chart-topping single (and 13th as a songwriter) “Black.”
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad kicked off the celebration to honor Bentley and his co-writers Ross Copperman and Ashley Gorley. Produced by Copperman and Arturo Buenahora, “Black” is the third consecutive No. 1 song off Bentley’s latest album with the same name.
“One of the things I’m most proud about this song is that working with Ross, obviously he’s a songwriter and we write a lot together, but the six songs that came before this were ones that none of them had our names on them together. This is the first song we’ve put out that actually we wrote together, and that’s something I think the three of us all take a little bit of pride in, that we’re just trying to find the best songs…whether we wrote them or not,” boasted Bentley.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker honored Gorley, who celebrated his 33rd No. 1 hit. Gorley was the 2016 recipient of ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year award. The Warner/Chappell writer was also honored last year as the first songwriter ever to receive three CMA Triple Play Awards, each of which celebrates writers who pen three No. 1 hits in a 12-month period.
“I want to thank Ross and Dierks for bringing me into this write. Obviously they’ve had a great track record for a while now,” Gorley said. “I want to thank Dierks for being a writer first. He’s somebody that says, ‘This is what I’m thinking, can you guys help me get there?’ Which is a whole different thing and a whole different level of artist.”
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Combustion Music’s Kenley Flynn, Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill, and Kobalt Music’s Jesse Willoughby were also on hand to remark on Gorley’s writing achievements.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen honored their 2016 Songwriter of the Year recipient Copperman, who also won ACM’s 2016 Songwriter of the Year award as well as a CMA Double Triple Play Award for penning six No. 1 songs in a 12-month period. This is Copperman’s 16th No. 1 song.
The Rezonant Music writer praised his fellow writer and friend by saying, “I just want to say one more thing about Ashley Gorley. If we were in high school he’d be the homecoming king of country music.”
“I feel so honored to be a part of this project. Thank you Arturo for bringing me into this world. Thank you to these guys for writing with me, and trusting in me, and being my best friends,” Copperman said.
Rezonant Music’s Tim Wipperman celebrated the writers’ success by presenting them each with a bottle of wine. “The only rule is that you can keep the bottle but you have to drink the wine,” Wipperman teased. “To all the songwriters here and especially to these guys, thank you for my career. Thank you for letting us do what we do and enjoy it.”
Pinnacle Bank’s Cooper Samuels congratulated the writers and celebrated with a charitable contribution made to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in each of their names.
CMA’s Brandi Simms presented the writers, who have 13 Triple Play Awards between them, with their No. 1 medallions.
Cindy Mabe, President of Universal Music Group Nashville, praised Bentley as the “protector of music.” Mabe said, “’Black’ may be the most personal song of his career. To get that intimate and honest and personal as a writer and performer is what separates Dierks from everyone else in the class. I think his level of honesty and openness and realness is what made his career flourish.”
CCM News: Integrity Music, Fair Trade, Sanctus Real
/by Lorie HollabaughAlisa Turner Signs With Integrity Music
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Mike Murray (Sr. Director of Creative, Integrity), Michael Farren (Producer, Songwriter), Wisdom Moon (Sr. Marketing Manager, Integrity), Adrian Thompson (VP, Song & Artist Development, Integrity), Lani Crump (Manager). Front row: Alisa Turner. Photo: Morgan Shirey.
Integrity Music has signed Nashville-based singer, songwriter and worship leader Alisa Turner and will release her debut, self-titled project on Aug. 25. Turner has worked with producers Robbie Seay, Don Chaffer, and songwriter Cary Barlowe, and has toured and shared stages with Brandon Heath, Michael Gungor and Tenth Avenue North. Her music was used on the FOX series “So You Think You Can Dance,” catapulting her to No. 1 on iTunes, and she also appears on the All About Worship album My Pursuit. She is working with Michael Farren on the Alisa Turner EP.
“There is something so captivating and authentic about Alisa… she embodies the spirit of the Psalms, singing with a pure, raw heart that is chasing after God,” says Adrian Thompson, Integrity’s Vice President of Song & Artist Development. “When you hear her story and what she has been through, you’re struck by the fact that there is always a ‘but God is faithful’ moment in every situation. I believe Alisa will encourage people to fully enter into worship no matter where they are in life… reminding us that we’re all invited to the throne, whether we’re filled with joy or we’re barely hanging on.”
“I think the Lord created me this way, drawn in by the emotion that comes with music,” Turner says. “When I sit down at the piano, He always uses it to draw me back, to awaken the dreamer, and I always leave different than when I came. I leave knowing He sees me, He is with me, He is my hope.”
Staff Changes At Fair Trade
Sanctus Real Welcomes New Lead Singer
“It was during a particular season of walking through so many unknowns when this song was written,” shares guitarist Rohman. “We had to take a moment and look back so we could see the path God had brought us down. Once we did that, we wanted to write a song that expressed the joy we felt knowing God had been with us through it all and what it feels like to be held so lovingly by Him.”
Sanctus Real will be headlining a fall tour with indie hip hop artist Blake Whitely and speaker Clayton Jennings.
Big Loud Records Hires New Midwest Regional Promotions Director
/by Alex ParryBig Loud Records has hired John D’Amico as the label’s new Regional Promotions Director, Midwest, starting July 10. D’Amico will report directly to the label President, Clay Hunnicutt, and can be reached by email at john@bigloudrecords.com or via phone at 412-862-6539.
D’Amico joins Big Loud Records promotions colleagues Nikki Jimenez, Northeast Region; Dave Kirth, West Coast Region; and Tyler Waugh, Southeast Region, all led by National Director of Promotion Stacy Blythe and Hunnicutt.
“John brings a unique skill set and passion that fits the Big Loud family and our artists perfectly,” Hunnicutt says. “His radio experience and passion for country music are second to none. We are all really excited for John to get going and to continue the growth of Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen and Jillian Jacqueline.”
D’Amico shares, “When Stacy called me to talk about the opportunity I couldn’t believe it! Big Loud has such an exciting group of young artists, tight-knit staff and distinguished leadership. There is something special about this label; they call themselves a family and it truly feels that way. It is a dream come true to be a part of it.”
Before signing on with Big Loud Records, D’Amico spent 10 years working in the Northeast Region with the CBS Radio Pittsburgh cluster. He began his career as an Intern and rose through the ranks of Board Operator, Producer and Assistant to the Web Master and Events Coordinator before taking the reins as Promotions Manager for WBZZ-FM (Hot AC) in 2011. In early 2015, D’Amico took over promotional duties at WDSY-FM as well.
Nashville Rockers Moon Taxi Add Fall Dates Including Three Music City Shows
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(Photo Credit: Don VanCleave)
Nashville alt-rockers Moon Taxi have announced a fall leg to their 2017 North American headline tour that will include dates in Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, New York City and more, plus three hometown dates in Nashville, including two shows at the Ryman Auditorium. Tickets for the additional shows go on sale this Friday, June 30. Fans can visit ridethemoontaxi.com/tour for more details.
The band recently independently released its new single “Two High” and in just weeks the song has already racked up over 8+ million streams. With its catchy hook and message of hope, the tune has struck a chord with fans around the world.
“The song is a song about hope,” expressed frontman Trevor Terndrup. “Hope for understanding, hope for acceptance, and hope for our future. We were inspired by the simple and universal peace sign. It’s a gesture we would like to see more of.”
Moon Taxi is currently recording the followup to their last LP, Daybreaker (2015 BMG), that debuted at #2 on the Billboard New Artist Chart.
Moon Taxi 2017 Fall Tour Dates:
APA Signs Josh Martin, Josh Thompson, Shenandoah, The Black Jacket Symphony
/by Lorie HollabaughKentucky native Martin is a Sony/ATV writer whose first single, “How’d You Know,” is out now. Thompson recently co-wrote the title track of Tim McGraw’s album, Damn Country Music as well as Jason Aldean’s “Any Ol’ Barstool.” His latest album is Change: The Lost Record.
Shenandoah has cut nine studio albums and had 26 Billboard charting singles, and the band continues to work on new material for their upcoming tour. The Black Jacket Symphony is back on the road after a brief break. The group of hand-picked musicians perform a selected album in its entirety, offering a unique concert experience with performances known for their state of the art lighting and video production.
Industry Ink: “Nashville In Concert,” WMN, SOLID, Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman
/by Haley Crow“Nashville In Concert” Donates £10,000 To British Red Cross “UK Solidarity Fund”
Pictured (L-R): Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Chris Carmack and Jonathan Jackson. Photo: Chris Hollo for Opry Entertainment
Stars of the hit series Nashville played two sold-out shows at Manchester’s O2 Apollo Saturday (June 24).
Following the shows, tour producer, Opry Entertainment, donated £10,000 to the British Red Cross “UK Solidarity Fund” on behalf of the touring cast, Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson.
The fund was set up by the British Red Cross to help victims of terror attacks throughout the UK.
Fans lined up for blocks outside Manchester’s O2 Apollo. Photo: Chris Hollo for Opry Entertainment
The “Nashville In Concert” touring cast and band. Photo: Chris Hollo for Opry Entertainment
Nashville cast member Clare Bowen. Photo: Chris Hollo for Opry Entertainment
Clare Bowen. Photo: Chris Hollo for Opry Entertainment
WMN Hosts CRB Dinner With Brett Eldredge, Devin Dawson
Pictured (back row, L-R): Joel Raab (Joel Raab Country Radio and Media), Beverlee Brannigan (The E.W. Scripps Company), Charlie Morgan (Emmis Communications), Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media), Tim Roberts (CBS Radio), Peter Strickland (WMN), Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner), Scott Hendricks (WMN), Matt Signore (WMN), Kristen Williams (WMN), Rod Phillips (iHeartCountry), Mike McVay (Cumulus); (front row L-R) Brett Eldredge, John Esposito (WMN), Devin Dawson.
Warner Music Nashville hosted the Country Radio Broadcasters Board and Agenda Committee last Thursday (June 22) for a night of dinner and music.
The event featured brand new music from Brett Eldredge, whose forthcoming self-titled album is due on August 4, and a performance from up-and-coming artist, Devin Dawson.
SOLID Hosts Panel Of Industry Leaders For Future Of Live Music Discussion
Pictured (L-R): Brian O’Neil, Virginia Davis, Jay Williams, and Angela Miles-Powell.
SOLID invited a panel of industry leaders to The Steps at WME last week to discuss The Future of Live Music. Brian O’Neil (Iconic Entertainment) moderated the conversation while Virginia Davis (G Major Management), Angela Miles-Powell (Ticketmaster) and Jay Williams (WME) spoke about emerging trends in the live music industry.
Panelists gave their insight on new technologies, touring, ticketing, venues, and the overall future of the live music experience.
Springer Mountain Farms® Continues Sponsorship Of Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman Series
The event kicked off last Thursday (June 22) and will continue every Thursday evening through July. This year’s lineup includes Vince Gill, Earls of Leicester, Soggy Bottom Boys, Dailey & Vincent, Infamous Stringdusters, Sara Watkins, and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.
Tickets are on sale now at the Ryman box office or by calling (615) 458-BLUE and online here.
The Recording Academy Elects New Board Of Trustees Officers
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Recording Academy recently held its Spring Board Of Trustees Officer Elections where John Poppo was re-elected Chair of its Board of Trustees and A&R executive Ruby Marchand was re-elected Vice Chair. Music executive Terry Hemmings will serve as Secretary/Treasurer and recording artist and founder/CEO of Swan Songs Christine Albert was also elected Chair Emeritus during the annual meeting.
“The dedication and wisdom of these talented National Officers will help us continue our mission of keeping the Recording Academy a premier organization within our vibrant industry,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “I look forward to working closely with such a diverse group of music professionals. The Academy, our membership, and the entire music community will benefit from their many years of experience.”
About The Officers:
Hemmings is a 30-year industry veteran who has helped shape and guide the careers of artists and songwriters and has executive produced dozens of albums and multiple award-winning feature films. As president/CEO of Provident Music Group, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, his roster includes Casting Crowns, Kirk Franklin, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath, Matt Maher, Fred Hammond, and more. Hemmings also oversees Provident Films (War Room, Courageous and Woodlawn), Provident Distribution, Essential Music Publishing, Essential Artist Services and New York-based Descendant Records (The Lone Bellow and Colony House). A Leadership Music alumnus, he serves on multiple music industry boards.
Poppo has enjoyed a 30-year career as a multiplatinum-selling producer, engineer, songwriter, and musician who’s worked in a wide range of genres. His credits include recordings by artists like Toni Braxton, Mariah Carey, Al Green, Daryl Hall, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Chaka Khan, Annie Lennox, Madonna, ‘N Sync, Diana Ross, Seal, and Luther Vandross. The New York native is currently focused on the development of new artists for his production/management company, Pop Productions Inc. He has served on the Recording Academy’s Board of Trustees for the past 14 years.
Marchand has served as a global A&R professional over the past three decades who has discovered and developed artists across a multitude of genres. Having started her music career as a flutist in the Oberlin Jazz Ensemble, she now oversees the International Repertoire Initiative for Warner Music. She was previously head of A&R for the Ryko label, where she signed artists including Keb′ Mo′, Will Hoge, Fran Healy, Allison Moorer, and the Posies, among others. As VP of A&R at Warner Music International for almost 25 years, she worked with prominent and emerging artists throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Marchand is an adjunct professor at the NYU Steinhardt Music Business program.
Albert is an independent artist and founder/CEO of Swan Songs, an Austin-based non-profit that fulfills musical last wishes. Albert has released 12 albums as a solo artist and as part of the folk/Americana duo Albert and Gage. She and her husband/musical partner Chris Gage also own and operate MoonHouse Studio and MoonHouse Records in Austin. Albert is known for her “Texafrance” series of French/English recordings that combine her European heritage and Texas musical roots. She has appeared on “Austin City Limits,” was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year by the Kerrville Folk Festival Music Awards, and Superstar of Austin Music by the Austin Chamber of Commerce for her community service work.
Duo Haley & Michaels Ink Publishing, Label Deals With Sony/ATV
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Ryan Michaels, Danny Strick, Shannon Haley, Rick Stone. Photo: Sony/ATV
Country duo Haley & Michaels have signed publishing and label deals with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and New York-based Sony/ATV label imprint Hickory Records, respectively.
“We both learned to write songs in Nashville,” the duo tells MusicRow of the signing. “The songwriting community is the reason each of us decided to move here. In addition to country, we have rock and pop influences and our music is a blend of all of that. Right after we had finished our latest recording session, our good friend Rick Stone called to tell us he had played the unreleased music for Danny Strick at Sony ATV in New York and that he wanted to meet us. That was the best phone call ever! When we sat down with Danny and played him our music, we could feel right away that we were speaking the same language about the songs, sound, and direction.”
“I am excited to work closely with Haley & Michaels,” said Sony/ATV Music Publishing U.S. co-president Danny Strick. “I believe that they have the potential to cross genres, both Country and Pop, and I look forward to providing opportunities to bring that to fruition.”
Haley & Michaels recently released their music on Spotify, where it was featured on the New Music Friday, New Boots, and Wild Country playlists, accompanying their breakout single “Giving It All (To You).” The duo has accumulated over 10 million streams on Spotify.
LANCO Adds “Greatest Love Story” Mural To Nashville’s Growing Street Art Scene
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville’s picturesque 12South area is home to popular eateries such as Bartaco and upscale boutiques including Reese Witherspoon’s Draper James and Holly Williams’ White’s Mercantile. Tucked throughout the area, several large-scale, colorful murals, such as the popular “I Believe In Nashville” piece, serve as compelling backdrops for unique photo opps.
Now, a new street art mural on the wall of 12South restaurant The FlipSide incorporates lyrics from Arista Nashville band LANCO’s current single, “Greatest Love Story.”
“We hang out over there in 12South a lot,” says LANCO’s Brandon Lancaster, as he and his fellow bandmembers are in the studio finishing up their first full-length major label project. “Corner Music is there and it’s a vibrant part of the city. It’s still kind of a hidden secret to some people. There’s a lot of culture in 12South.”
The band commissioned local Nashville artist Ners, professionally known as Neon Lumberjack, to craft the mural, which incorporates the idea behind Paris’ Love Locks Bridge and is emblazoned with the phrase “The Greatest Love Story This Town Has Ever Seen.”
“When we tour we see the love locks in a lot of cities,” Lancaster says. “Seattle, Tucson, Austin, so we’ve seen it a lot and we thought it would be cool to bring that to Nashville.”
Ners is known for his 3D spray paint art concepts, which were also incorporated into the piece.
“The coloring and the dimensions really pop out, he’s really good at that,” Lancaster says. “We talked about having dimensions and layers so that it catches your eye. The color scheme doesn’t look like some design on the side of a building that could be part of the restaurant. We really trusted him to take his own approach.”
Through October, visitors can chalk in their own names or initials as part of the mural.
Smyrna, Tennessee native Lancaster is the sole writer behind the intimate, sentimental tale told in “Greatest Love Story”—one that chronicles his own love story with his fiancée, whom he met during college at Lee University.
“She moved and we spent time apart,” Lancaster recalls. “We realized that what we were missing in each other’s lives was each other and we wanted that back. So the song is really personal. It came together really quickly because it was my story. I brought it to the guys in the band, and they liked it. I wasn’t looking to write a hit but I was looking to write my story.”
Bobby Bones To Be Inducted Into National Radio Hall Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughNominated alongside Sean “Hollywood” Hamilton, Guy Phillips and Ryan Seacrest, Bones was the only representative in the country genre. The Nashville community and his devoted listeners rallied around Bones during the voting period June 5-19 encouraging people to vote, and artists including Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town donned “VOTE BOBBY” t-shirts in support of Bones.
Bones, whose nationally syndicated radio show on 100 stations reaches over five million listeners weekly, will be inducted at a formal ceremony on November 2. The prestigious honor is the latest in a string of awards for Bones, who was also named ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year in 2014 and 2016, following multiple honors at the Austin Music Awards including Best Radio Personality and Best Radio Program.
Dierks Bentley Celebrates 16th No. 1 Single, “Black”
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): Ross Copperman, Dierks Bentley, Ashley Gorley
Industry members, friends, and family gathered at new Nashville venue Hemingway’s Bar & Hideaway yesterday (June 22) to celebrate Capitol Nashville artist Dierks Bentley’s 16th chart-topping single (and 13th as a songwriter) “Black.”
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad kicked off the celebration to honor Bentley and his co-writers Ross Copperman and Ashley Gorley. Produced by Copperman and Arturo Buenahora, “Black” is the third consecutive No. 1 song off Bentley’s latest album with the same name.
“One of the things I’m most proud about this song is that working with Ross, obviously he’s a songwriter and we write a lot together, but the six songs that came before this were ones that none of them had our names on them together. This is the first song we’ve put out that actually we wrote together, and that’s something I think the three of us all take a little bit of pride in, that we’re just trying to find the best songs…whether we wrote them or not,” boasted Bentley.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker honored Gorley, who celebrated his 33rd No. 1 hit. Gorley was the 2016 recipient of ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year award. The Warner/Chappell writer was also honored last year as the first songwriter ever to receive three CMA Triple Play Awards, each of which celebrates writers who pen three No. 1 hits in a 12-month period.
“I want to thank Ross and Dierks for bringing me into this write. Obviously they’ve had a great track record for a while now,” Gorley said. “I want to thank Dierks for being a writer first. He’s somebody that says, ‘This is what I’m thinking, can you guys help me get there?’ Which is a whole different thing and a whole different level of artist.”
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Combustion Music’s Kenley Flynn, Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill, and Kobalt Music’s Jesse Willoughby were also on hand to remark on Gorley’s writing achievements.
BMI’s MaryAnn Keen honored their 2016 Songwriter of the Year recipient Copperman, who also won ACM’s 2016 Songwriter of the Year award as well as a CMA Double Triple Play Award for penning six No. 1 songs in a 12-month period. This is Copperman’s 16th No. 1 song.
The Rezonant Music writer praised his fellow writer and friend by saying, “I just want to say one more thing about Ashley Gorley. If we were in high school he’d be the homecoming king of country music.”
“I feel so honored to be a part of this project. Thank you Arturo for bringing me into this world. Thank you to these guys for writing with me, and trusting in me, and being my best friends,” Copperman said.
Rezonant Music’s Tim Wipperman celebrated the writers’ success by presenting them each with a bottle of wine. “The only rule is that you can keep the bottle but you have to drink the wine,” Wipperman teased. “To all the songwriters here and especially to these guys, thank you for my career. Thank you for letting us do what we do and enjoy it.”
Pinnacle Bank’s Cooper Samuels congratulated the writers and celebrated with a charitable contribution made to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in each of their names.
CMA’s Brandi Simms presented the writers, who have 13 Triple Play Awards between them, with their No. 1 medallions.
Cindy Mabe, President of Universal Music Group Nashville, praised Bentley as the “protector of music.” Mabe said, “’Black’ may be the most personal song of his career. To get that intimate and honest and personal as a writer and performer is what separates Dierks from everyone else in the class. I think his level of honesty and openness and realness is what made his career flourish.”